Description
Menemen is a traditional Turkish scrambled eggs dish made with sautéed peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, gently cooked with eggs and melted cheese. This flavorful and comforting recipe is perfect for breakfast or brunch, featuring a rich blend of spices including Aleppo chili flakes, and is typically served with crusty bread or tortillas for dipping.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (or use butter or ghee)
- 1 small onion, diced (white or yellow, optional)
- 1 cup chopped peppers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon spicy chili flakes (Aleppo preferred, paprika or cayenne as alternatives)
- 1.5 cups grated or diced tomatoes with their juices
- 1/4 cup shredded melty cheese (optional – mozzarella, Monterey jack, or similar)
- 5 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Crusty bread or small tortillas
- Spicy chili flakes
- Crumbly feta cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Warm a large pan over medium heat and add the olive oil or butter to melt.
- Sauté Peppers and Onion: Add the diced onion and chopped peppers to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they soften.
- Add Garlic and Chili Flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and spicy chili flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Tomatoes: Pour in the grated or diced tomatoes along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and cook the mixture down for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release juices, making sure not to let the pan dry out.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese into the tomato and pepper mixture and stir gently.
- Prepare Eggs: Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl, then pour them over the tomato mixture in the pan. Tilt the pan to let the egg distribute evenly into the sauce’s crevices without mixing thoroughly. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Cook Eggs: Cover the pan and cook for several minutes until the eggs begin to set. Remove from heat and allow the eggs to finish cooking in the residual heat for a few more minutes. Cook longer if you prefer firmer eggs.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs, crumbly feta cheese, and extra spicy chili flakes. Serve hot with warmed crusty bread or tortillas for dipping.
Notes
- Use Aleppo chili flakes for authentic flavor; substitute with paprika or cayenne if unavailable.
- Cheese is optional; omit for a dairy-free version or use a melty vegan cheese.
- Adjust the cooking time of eggs depending on your preferred doneness.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Can be customized by adding different types of peppers or herbs according to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
